Automated longitudinal position translator for ultrasonic imaging probes, and methods of using same

Abstract

An improved medical imaging system preferably includes an imaging device having a housing, an imaging transducer, and a position marker coupled near the imaging transducer. The system further includes a motor capable of driving the imaging transducer in a generally longitudinal direction relative to the housing. Data obtained from tracking the position marker may be cross-correlated with data obtained from the imaging transducer. In one aspect, the position marker may be a sensor capable of communicating with a medical positioning system.

1. An imaging catheter comprising:
 a motorized position translator coupled to a first end of a cable;  
 an imaging device coupled at or near the second end of the cable, the imaging device adapted for imaging within a patient's body;  
 a tracking device coupled near the imaging device, the tracking device adapted for tracking the position of the imaging device within the patient's body;  
 wherein the position translator is adapted for both manual linear translation of the cable relative to the catheter and motor-driven linear translation of the cable relative to the catheter where during the motor-driven linear translation, the motorized position translator controls the rate of longitudinal translation of the imaging device.  
 
     
     
       2. The imaging catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the tracking device comprises a radiopaque marker band. 
     
     
       3. The imaging catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the tracking device comprises an antenna capable of receiving electro-magnetic positioning signals. 
     
     
       4. The imaging catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the tracking device is a sensor adapted to communicate with a medical positioning system. 
     
     
       5. The imaging catheter of  claim 4 , wherein the sensor includes an antenna portion having first and second terminals. 
     
     
       6. The imaging catheter of  claim 5 , wherein the imaging device and the sensor share the first and second terminals. 
     
     
       7. The imaging catheter of  claim 4 , wherein the imaging device has a first and second transducer terminal, the first transducer terminal being coupled to a first wire and the second transducer terminal being coupled to a second wire, the imaging device and the sensor are coupled to the first and second terminals, the first wire is coupled with one of the first and second terminals and the second wire is coupled with the other of the first and second terminals. 
     
     
       8. The imaging catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the imaging device is an ultrasound transducer.